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North Little Rock School District Removes LGBTQ+ Books Amid Censorship Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Elementary students in the North Little Rock School District have lost access to 31 digital books featuring LGBTQ+ themes and characters, following a parent's complaint that the content was inappropriate. The decision has sparked debate on censorship and First Amendment rights in the state of Arkansas, where laws have been passed limiting what libraries can offer their patrons. The district's instruction to "hide" the books on the Epic Reading Platform raises questions about the impact of recent state laws, including the Arkansas LEARNS Act and Act 372, which restricts "classroom instruction" on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools before the 5th grade.

Key Takeaways:

  • The North Little Rock School District removed access to 31 digital books featuring LGBTQ+ themes and characters after a parent's complaint that the content was inappropriate.
  • The decision was made in compliance with state laws, including the Arkansas LEARNS Act and Act 372, which restricts "classroom instruction" on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools before the 5th grade.
  • The ACLU of Arkansas questions the legality of hiding books that include people, characters, or animals who are not heterosexual and cisgender, calling it "an act of censorship."
  • The district's decision has sparked debate on First Amendment rights and the impact of recent state laws on free speech and access to information.
  • The Epic Reading Platform is a digital library of educational resources available to district students, which included the 31 books in question.
  • The titles include "Jazz Jennings: A Voice for LGBTQ Youth," "My Family: My Two Dads," and "Jack (Not Jackie)," which do not appear to feature graphic or sexual content.
  • A federal court struck down key parts of Act 372 last December, declaring them unconstitutional, and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is appealing the ruling.
  • The sanctions imposed by Act 372 aimed to allow officials to restrict books, movies, and other content deemed harmful to minors, and potentially jail librarians who allow children access to such content.

Statistics:

  • 31 digital books featuring LGBTQ+ themes and characters were removed from access for elementary students in the North Little Rock School District.
  • The Arkansas LEARNS Act prohibits "classroom instruction" in public schools before the 5th grade on the topics of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Act 372 of 2023 covers libraries and restricts material deemed "harmful to minors" which can affect books with LGBTQ+ themes, among others.
  • A federal court struck down key parts of Act 372 last December, saying they violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Sources:

  • [1] "North Little Rock Schools removes LGBTQ+ books from elementary school curriculum after parent complaint." Arkansas Times, October 21, 2025.
  • [2] "Action Memo - Epic Reading Content." North Little Rock School District, October 21, 2025.
  • [3] "Arkansas LEARNS Act (Ark. Code 6-16-1006)." Arkansas State Legislature.
  • [4] "Act 372 (2023 Arkansas law on 'harmful' materials in libraries)." Arkansas State Legislature.
  • [5] "ACLU of Arkansas Questions Legality of Hiding LGBTQ+ Books in North Little Rock Schools." ACLU of Arkansas, [current date].

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